Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Grace: Unwelcome Advances

I have to leave the pack.

This realization is a long time coming, but when I wake up to Rafe's face staring down at me, in the relative safety of my own room, it's a decision made for me.

I'm not safe anywhere. Not even where I sleep.

"Don't shout," he whispers, placing a hand over my mouth.

I wasn't going to, anyway. No one would come to my aid here.

My nod seems to relieve him, because he lets me go and sits on my bed without asking for permission.

I sit up, my fingers clutching the blanket and pulling it over my chest. The thin fabric offers little protection, but it's all I have against Rafe's piercing blue gaze. I'm still wearing my clothes from yesterday, but being in my bed—in my room—leaves me feeling vulnerable.

My heart pounds, a traitorous rhythm that threatens to betray my resolve.

"What are you doing here?"

Rafe's sun-bright hair catches the dim light, a halo around his perfect features. His blue eyes, once a source of comfort, now make my stomach twist.

All I can see is how he dumped me for Ellie the moment he realized they were mates.

"How are you doing, Grace?"

His hand reaches for mine. I flinch away, pressing myself against the headboard.

"What are you doing here?" The words come out sharper this time.

Rafe's shoulders slump, and he runs a hand through his hair, mussing the perfect strands. "I'm worried about you."

A harsh laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it. "That's rich."

"I mean it, Grace. I care about you."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

His sad facade fades as his jaw clenches. There's a tick beneath his skin, a twitching that only serves to remind me he's changed. Like a personality transplant. Or, worse—I never knew him at all. "It's complicated."

"No, it's not. You chose her. You made that perfectly clear."

amber bleeding into the blue of his eyes. My lack of submission must anger his

I cut him off, wishing my words came out with more scorn and less trembling. "I don't want to hear about your precious mate

scent washing over me. Trees and earth and everything I once called home.

The words hang between us, heavy and undeniable. Making

sends sparks racing up my

miss you," he

back to the way things were. But then I remember Ellie's cruel smile. His indifference in the forest, when

You don't get to come in here and act like you

a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself. "I know things are different now, but that doesn't mean I've stopped caring

way to express how I feel. So I laugh. A brittle, sharp, broken sound. "Like how your new mate treats me like dirt? How the entire

forward, grabbing my hand and holding tight,

do you?" I shake my head, disbelief coursing through me. "It's not just about how Ellie treats me. It's about how you let her treat

against my

why are you here?" I demand, anger finally overtaking the hurt. "What do

he's too close. His hand cups my cheek, and I hate the way I lean into his touch. Like a bad fucking habit. "I want

tempted. To give in, to let him kiss me, to pretend that nothing has changed. It would

I hate him.

miss

my everything. I dreamed of a

shove him away, scrambling out of bed.

"Grace—"

shake beneath me. The temptation of the familiar is terrifying. "You don't

once found so attractive

"No, I'm not. I'm human, remember?

fire; his wolf is fighting for control. He steps

my head. "You're just angry with me. It's okay, Gracie. I understand. I get it.

it against my jaw in a whisper-soft caress that

the Rafe

cared about my feelings. My thoughts. He wanted me to be true to myself.

didn't ever claim to

pleas. "I just want

to my lips. "We'll keep it quiet. I promise I won't let

she's not stupid. She'll

darkening his eyes, even as his hand strokes my cheek in a gentle caress. "It's okay, Gracie. I'll make it okay. We can still be together in the end. I know I said things that hurt

soft, sensual

But I'm going to get you back. You'll see. You were meant for

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